Mumbai: The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) organised a National Seminar on “Parsis in Modern India: Navigating Cultural and Socio-Economic Pathways” at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Mumbai today. The seminar is part of the Commission’s series of academic engagements initiated in February 2026 to deliberate upon the concurrent status of minority communities. The seminar brought together Union and State Ministers, policymakers, scholars, industrialists, academicians and represe...Read More

Prabhas Patan: The ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ is set to be celebrated at Somnath in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commemorating 75 years of the temple’s redevelopment and modernization. Among the 12 revered Jyotirlingas of India, Somnath holds a special place as the first Jyotirlinga. Today, more than 25,000 devotees visit the temple daily, while nearly 97 lakh pilgrims visit annually. Enhanced road, rail, and air connectivity, along with modern infrastructure and pilgrim faciliti...Read More

Somnath: In a first for the Somnath Temple, a special Kumbhabhishek ceremony will be performed on the temple shikhara on May 11 using holy water collected from 11 pilgrimage sites as part of the ongoing Somnath Amrit Parva-2026 celebrations marking 75 years of the reconstruction of the temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Somnath on May 11, during which he will offer Mahapuja at the Somnath Mahadev temple. The Kumbhabhishek ritual will be one of the key highlights of the e...Read More

Nadiad: Allegations of psychological pressure and religious conversion have surfaced against the government-run Sakhi One Stop Center in Nadiad after a Hindu woman sought shelter there amid a family dispute over her relationship with a Christian man. The controversy began after the woman, who was working at a private company in Ahmedabad, developed a relationship with a Christian colleague. According to the family, tensions arose when she expressed her desire to marry him, which they opposed ...Read More

Somnath: The Indian Air Force’s famed Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) will present a special air show over Somnath Temple on May 11 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for the ‘Swabhiman Parv’ celebrations marking 75 years of the inauguration of the reconstructed Somnath Temple. The aerial display, featuring Hawk Mk-132 aircraft creating tricolour smoke trails in the sky, is expected to be one of the major highlights of the celebrations, blending patriotism with spirituality ...Read More

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Gujarat on May 10–11. During the visit, he will perform darshan and pooja at Somnath Mandir in Prabhas Patan, where Somnath Swabhiman Parv is being celebrated to mark the 75th anniversary of the temple’s restoration. Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, authorities have intensified preparations. As part of this, a high-level review meeting was held at the District Seva Sadan under the chairmanship of District Collector N.V. Upadhya...Read More

Surat: Devotees will have extended opportunities for religious observances this year as an additional lunar month, known as Purushottam (Adhik) Maas, falls between May 17 and June 15 during the Hindu month of Jyestha. Astrologer Govindji said that 2026 is considered significant in the Hindu calendar, as the Jyestha month spans 59 days, from May 2 to June 29, due to the inclusion of the extra month. This results in a total of 13 months in the year instead of the usual 12. According to tradition...Read More

Mandvi: The 216-year-old Vitthalnathji Temple in Mandvi, originally built by Maharani Gahinabai Gaekwad at a cost of ₹26,000, is undergoing restoration at an estimated cost of ₹1 crore by the Devasthan Trust. The project aims to preserve the temple’s original haveli-style architecture without altering its historic character. According to officials, the restoration is being carried out under the guidance of the Gaekwad royal family. Maharani Radhikaraj Gaekwad has directed that the temple�...Read More

Panchmahal: In a major relief for pilgrims visiting the Pavagadh hill shrine, a newly constructed multi-level car parking facility at Manchi has been inaugurated, addressing long-standing congestion and parking issues at the popular pilgrimage site. Built jointly by the Gujarat government and the Pavagadh Mahakali Temple Trust, the facility has the capacity to accommodate up to 500 cars at a time. Officials said the project aims to streamline traffic movement and improve visitor convenience for...Read More

Ahmedabad: Ahead of the upcoming Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is upgrading and modernising the traditional procession route. The civic body is carrying out the work for Rs 19.6 crore on the stretch between Jamalpur Crossroads and Danapith, with nearly 75% of the work already completed. Officials have set a target to finish the remaining work before the festival begins. An AMC official said the development plan covers key points along the route, including Ja...Read More